Effect of some phytoestrogens on metabolism of rat adipocytes

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the direct effect of genistein, daidzein and zearalenone on basal and hormone-induced lipogenesis and lipolysis in isolated rat adipocytes. In lipogenesis, daidzein and zearalenone were used at concentrations of 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mmol x L(-1) and genistein at concentrations of 0.01, 0.3, 0.6 and 1 mmol x L(-1). In lipolysis, concentrations of tested compounds were 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mmol x L(-1). All tested compounds clearly inhibited basal and insulin (1 nmol x L(-1)) stimulated lipogenesis. Basal lipolysis was particularly enhanced by genistein and daidzein at its higher concentrations. The ability of zearalenone to potentiate of basal lipolysis was less marked. Epinephrine (1 micromol x L(-1))-stimulated lipolysis was inhibited by genistein at 1 mmol x L(-1). At a concentration of 0.1 mmol x L(-1) daidzein also augmented epinephrine-stimulated lipolysis and at its highest concentration exhibited an inhibitory effect, similar to genistein. Zearalenone reduced stimulated lipolysis, particularly at the highest concentration.